Prosecutor says man endangered teen's life in terror hoax

Police say 39-year-old Michael Turley filmed his nephew, who was dressed as terrorist and holding a fake grenade launcher, while he stood in the street pointing the fake weapon at passing cars. (Source: CBS 5 News)

Turley posted a video of the terror hoax on YouTube. (Source: YouTube)

PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -

A prosecutor says a man on trial for carrying out a fake terrorist act on a Phoenix street last summer could have gotten his 16-year-old nephew killed by sending him into the street with a fake weapon.

Michael David Turley, 39, filmed his nephew, who was dressed as a terrorist and holding a fake grenade launcher, while he stood in the street pointing the fake weapon at passing cars.

Turley has pleaded not guilty to falsely perpetuating a terrorism act for the July 28 mock terrorism scenario in northwest Phoenix.

Eight jurors and two alternates were selected for the trial and opening statements began Wednesday before Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Jeanne Garcia.

The prosecutor said some drivers who called 911 considered running down the teen.

Turley's attorney said it was foolish for his client to send his nephew into such a potentially dangerous situation, but pointed out that no one was hurt in the hoax.

Shortly after the incident, Turley posted the video of the fake terror hoax on YouTube. A narrator on the video said he wanted to see how long it took police to respond.

Police were told that the two were filming a movie and officers took down their names and left.

But Turley was later arrested after police interviewed people who called emergency services and later saw the YouTube video.